Sustaining Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident Caused by Distracted Driving
Now that spring is in the air, you will definitely be eager to dust off your motorcycle and hit the roadways of New York for a bit of fast-paced outdoor exploration. After all, what could be better than the warm wind whipping at your hair and the mountains stretching before you? Nevertheless, this period of happiness and adventure can easily become a time for caution in the blink of an eye. Highways and metropolitan roadways might be convenient, but these paved stomping grounds are highly dangerous.
So imagine how traumatic your outdoor excursion can get when, without warning, a distracted driver slams into your bike, sending it and you flying across the highway. Needless to say, you will be terrified and most likely unsure of what steps to take. However, with the help of an auto accident attorney, you can easily receive the help you need.
Statistics Concerning the Dangers of Riding Motorcycles
According to statistics collected by the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 5,172 people died in fatal motorcycle accidents in 2017, but that number has been steadily climbing since 1997. Here is a closer look at this data:
- Motorcycle accidents constituted 14% of fatal crashes in 2017.
- 28% of motorcyclists had consumed alcohol prior to operating their vehicles.
- Male riders accounted for 91% of the reported traffic fatalities.
- 36% of riders were men ages 50 and older.
Something to keep in mind is that 1,908 of the riders involved in these accidents had not been wearing helmets. Although these devices cannot guarantee complete safety, keep in mind that helmets are a guaranteed 37% effective in the prevention of fatal injuries during motor vehicle crashes.
The Grim Reality of Distracted Driving
As the NSC points out, the majority of collisions between a motorcycle and a larger motor vehicle occur when the driver of the car fails to give the right of way to the motorcyclist or simply doesn’t notice him or her. Here are some reasons why motorcyclists are ignored by drivers:
- The small size of motorcycles, in contrast to cars;
- Obstruction of the driver’s view of the motorcyclist; and/or
- Distracted driving.
Unfortunately, distracted driving is one of the most common ways motorcyclists are killed along major roadways. The Governors’ Highway Safety Association reports that 8.5% of all roadway accidents were triggered by distracted drivers (killing about 3,166 people).
Finding a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Syracuse
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver, you will no doubt feel terrified, angry, and concerned about what steps you can take next. As dangers continue to increase along the highways of America, your safety becomes more valuable by the ticking moment.
We, at Gattuso & Ciotoli, have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and deliver some of the most high-quality legal services to injury victims in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York. We value your perspective on your case and your goals for the future and ready to help you receive the justice you deserve. For more information on our four practice areas or your legal matter, contact us at (315) 314-8000 today.